Obituary of Larry Paul Johnson

Larry Paul Johnson, 67, of Buchanan, passed away at Memorial Hospital in South Bend on Saturday, March 27, 2021. Larry was born on January 12, 1954, to the late Cecil and Johnnie Mabelene (Brassfield) Johnson in Niles, Michigan. After high school, Larry worked as a machinist and started in a tool and die apprenticeship. He worked as a tool and die maker for many years until he retired from Modineer Company in 2018. On December 16, 1977, he married Linda Straw in a candlelight ceremony at First Presbyterian Church in Niles. Together they raised their three children. Larry loved his family. From coaching different sporting teams that his children and grandchildren played, to helping fix up his children's houses, he was a devoted and very involved father. Anyone that knew Larry, knew that he would lend a helping hand to anyone and there wasn't a project he couldn't figure out. He was the true definition of a handyman. He loved hunting, golfing, fishing, traveling to warmer climates, and spending time at Hemlock Lake sitting around the campfire with his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil Johnson and Mabelene Chadwell; brother, James Johnson; and grandson, Anthony “AJ” Johnson. Larry is survived by his devoted wife of 43 years, Linda Johnson; daughters, Jamie (Arūnas) Balčiauskas of Galien and Lindsey Johnson of Niles; son, Adam Johnson of Niles; grandchildren, Adeline, Lily and Lucas Gill of Niles, Kairo and Kody Johnson of Niles and Meilė Balčiauskas of Galien; sisters, Glenda Foster of Niles, Janice Boyer of Yipsilanti, and Kathy (Craig) Sly of Niles; and many extended family members and close friends. In keeping with Larry’s wishes, he has been cremated. Due to the ongoing pandemic, his family will be hosting an outdoor celebration of life this summer. In a private ceremony, Larry will be laid to rest on April 14th at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, next to his grandson. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Larry’s name may do so to the family in care of Brown Funeral Home by calling 269-683-1155.